Agenda Item 7 SOUTH CENTRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY GRANTS FUND SOUTH CENTRAL NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNERSHIP MEETING BUSINESS CENTRE, CITY CHAMBERS MONDAY, 12 th DECEMBER 2011 1. PURPOSE OF REPORT 1.1 This report provides details of applications to the Neighbourhood Partnership s Community Grants Fund in 2011/12, since the beginning of the current financial year. The Partnership is asked to consider these proposals under the terms of the scheme. 2. SUMMARY 2.1 This report describes the budgetary position for the Partnership in 2011/12. It contains recommendations for the award of a grant to seven groups. A list of awards made to date appears at Appendix 1. 3. MAIN REPORT 3.1 The Neighbourhood Partnership budget amounts to 57,373 in 2011/12. To date the Partnership has awarded 17 grants totalling 43,007. In addition the Partnership ring-fenced an amount of 6,000 for consideration at the Students in Community Event on 1 st November. Applications from this event are included within this paper. Therefore the total balance for disbursement as at 12 th December 2011 is 14,366. 3.2 Grant applications are invited from fully constituted organisations with open membership criteria. The upper limit for grants is normally 5,000 but higher amounts can be awarded in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Neighbourhood Manager and Partnership. 3.3 Before considering the undernoted applications, members of the Neighbourhood Partnership are asked to consider the financial implications as detailed in Section 7 of this report. 4. STUDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY EVENT APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL 4.1 The Students in the Community Event took place on 1 st November 2011. This is the subject of a separate report see agenda item 8. Three projects have submitted applications, all of which meet the criteria for the Community Grants fund; these are noted below: Page 1 of 6
4.2 Modern Dance Project This project secured the most votes at the Students in the Community Event on 1 st November 2011. Unfortunately the group have been unable to present their completed application by the prescribed deadline. However, this will be presented later this week and a revised report along with a copy of the application will be sent out as soon as it becomes available. 4.3 Dumbiedykes Writers Group This project endeavours to encourage local people with an interest in writing to develop their skills to produce a variety of literature. The group are seeking 2,318 funding to cover the cost of a tutor for 36 weeks plus the print and publicity costs associated with the publication of a book of short stories and poems. Application Recommended for Approval 2,318 4.4 South Central Edinburgh Youth Forum (O2 Presents) The group are seeking a grant in order to fund a youth concert for young people to promote bands from within the area. It will be hosted in a local theatre and staffed and planned primarily by the young people. The skills learnt throughout the process will contribute towards the participants Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award, Youth Achievement and Dynamic Youth Awards. The group are seeking 911 towards the cost of venue hire, staff, t-shirts, tickets, posters/flyers, banners, van hire and general expenses. Application Recommended for Approval - 911 5. OTHER APPLICATIONS FOR APPROVAL 5.1 Morningside Heritage Association This group aims to promote areas of historical, education and cultural interest within the Morningside area. They are seeking a grant of 1,000 to cover the costs associated with the publication and distribution of the Morningside Heritage Trail, a guided walk, for adults and children. The map includes up to 40 places of interest throughout the area. It will be distributed through local traders, libraries and local history societies and community websites. Application recommended for approval - 1,000 5.2 Prestonfield Cameron House Community Gardening Group The group wish to capitalise on their success last year in achieving a Beautiful Scotland Silver award by continuing to enhance the local environment by making further improvements and increased planting in specific areas. They are seeking a grant of 1,171 in order to purchase a variety of plants and new equipment. Application recommended for approval - 1,171 Page 2 of 6
5.3 Southside Elderly Club This is an over 60 s Asian Group aimed at reducing isolation and improving the quality of life for its members by providing a variety of activities and therapy sessions. The group are seeking a total grant of 4,400 in order to provide massage therapy and exercise treatments in addition to providing IT education specific to various languages and enable members to make contact with relatives across the world. Option 1 Option 2 (Full Award) Massage Therapist 26 weeks @ 60 1,560 1,560 Exercise Therapist 26 weeks @ 40 1,040 - IT Education 640 640 Equipment (new computer) 600 - Games 260 - Marketing/Leaflets 300 300 4,400 2,500 The application meets the criteria for Community Grant Funding and recommended for approval either in part or in full. 5.4 The Crags Community Sports Centre The Crags Sports Centre is about to re-open its doors. The Centre intends to promote, for the benefits of residents of the community, public participation in sport by the provision and management of the centre and the promotion of sporting activities for all ages. The Centre is looking for a grant of 1,960 to assist with the costs associated with running a 3 x 12 week exercise classes for three specific groups ie Pre-school Exercise Classes, Primary 1-4 Exercise Classes and Over 50s Exercise Classes. These costs relate primarily to venue hire and sessional coaching costs. Application recommended for approval - 1,960 6. APPLICATION APPROVED UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY 7 NOVEMBER 2011 6.1 Merchiston Community Council This project was awarded 300 to fund the provision of publicity and refreshments as part of the annual Christmas Lights Ceremony jointly organised by the Community Council and The Eric Liddell Centre. As this is an annual event, the Community Council has been informed that in future years any application for funding should be submitted within a sufficient time frame in order that it be considered by the Partnership along with competing bids. Page 3 of 6
7. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 7.1 Should the Partnership approve in full the applications currently under consideration this would leave a balance for disbursement to 31 st March 2012 of 2,606 (Assumes total grant of 4,400 to Southside Elderly Club) NB this figure requires to be amended once the value of the Modern Dance Group application is known. 8. EQUALITIES IMPACT 8.1 The Community Grants Fund guidelines stipulate that all projects/activities to be funded must be for the benefit of residents of the City of Edinburgh Neighbourhood Partnership areas. In addition, the application form contains a section requesting information as to how the proposal meets the needs of equalities groups. Only when Neighbourhood Partnership staff are satisfied that an application is wholly inclusive will it be put forward for consideration. Groups are reminded of the requirement for them to be actively inclusive to all sections of the community. 9. RECOMMENDATIONS 9.1 Advice is sought from the Partnership on the recommendations to:- 9.2 Award a grant of??? To the Modern Dance Group as detailed in paragraph 4.2. (Application to follow) 9.3 Award a grant of 2,318 to Dumbiedykes Writers Group as detailed in paragraph 4.3. 9.4 Award a grant of 911 to south Central Edinburgh Youth Forum as detailed in paragraph 4.4. 9.5 Award a grant of 1,000 to Morningside Heritage Association as detailed in paragraph 5.1 9.6 Award a grant of 1,171 to Prestonfield Cameron House Community Gardening Group as detailed in paragraph 5.2. 9.7 Award a grant of (amount to be determined) to Southside Elderly Club as detailed in paragraph 5.3. 9.8 Award a grant of 1,960 to The Crags Community Sports Centre as detailed in paragraph 5.4. 9.9 Note the award of 300 to Merchiston Community Council under delegated authority (paragraph 6.1) SARAH BURNS Neighbourhood Manager, Services for Communities Page 4 of 6
Appendices Appendix 1: South Central Neighbourhood Partnership - List of Awards to date Appendix 2: Grant applications Contact/tel/ email Council Wards Affected Community Council Areas Background Papers Margaret Campbell, Partnership Business Manager 0131 529 7182 Email: margaret.campbell@edinburgh.gov.uk Meadows/ Morningside, Southside/Newington Marchmont & Sciennes, Merchiston, Tollcross, Morningside, and Southside, Grange/Prestonfield Project applications in Services for Communities files Page 5 of 6
2011/12 Starting Balance 57,373 Award Date P'ship/ SO63 Organisation Purpose Award Notes 14.03.11 P/ship Cameron House Community Centre Summer Programme 5,000 14.03.11 P/ship 3Ms Summer Programme 5,000 14.03.11 P/ship 3Ms Tuesday club residential 4,000 14.03.11 P/ship The Alma Project Mental health project 2,406 14.03.11 P/ship Southside Community Centre Summer Drama Programme 2,230 14.03.11 P/ship Formal Partnership Approval - 14 th March 2010 Total 18,636 18,636 04.05.11 SO63 Meadows Festival Association Meadows Festival 4-5 June 5,000 28.04.11 SO63 South Morningside Parent Council Strictly Come Dancing Programme 716 04.05.11 SO63 Braidwood Centre Summer Programme 4,288 19.05.11 P/ship 19.05.11 P/ship Edinburgh Students Association (ringfenced) Cameron House Community Centre & Bowling Club Volunteering Event 0 6,000 now included in overall budget Specialised wheelchair & lawnmower 4,222 Friends of Meadows & Bruntsfield Links Trees for Meadows 0 Incomplete application 19.05.11 P/ship Formal Partnership Approval - 19th May 2011(Business Meeting) Total 14,226 32,862 20.06.11 SO63 Vocal Dumbiedykes Carers Project 2,380 22.08.11 P/ship Gowrie Care Healthy Eating Initiative 800 22.08.11 P/ship Canongate Youth Centre furniture & equipment for new centre 900 22.08.11 P/ship Access to Industry Dumbiedykes Gardening Project 1,750 22.08.11 P/ship The Bike Station Dr Bike/Information Sessions 955 Approved Award Total 6,785 39,647 10.10.11 P/ship Aria Alba Opera for All Purchase of lighting equipment 1,363 Theatrical production based on 10.10.11 P/ship Adult Learning Project (ALP) recession 1,697 07.11.11 SO63 Merchiston Community Council Christmas Lights Switch-on 300 Approved Award Total 3,360 43,007 Balance 14,366 Page 6 of 6